Author: NZHarnessNews

By Adam Hamilton  Victoria Cup winner Kingman could be a shock late entry for the $1m IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington Raceway on Tuesday, November 11. Owner-breeder Mick Harvey dropped the bombshell on Melbourne radio this morning. “We’ll see how the next few days go once Luke (McCarthy, trainer-driver) gets him settled back home, but if you asked me now … I’d say he’ll go,” he said. “The horse came through that win so well. He was strong on the line and he’s at the top of his…

Over the past week, there has been discussion regarding planned road closures on State Highway 1 between Waipara and Kaikoura, which had the potential to impact travel to and from the Kaikoura meeting. We’re pleased to confirm that the Kaikoura Club has successfully worked with Downer to delay the scheduled works, meaning full road closures will now not commence until Tuesday, 4 November. However, please note that traffic management will be in place from 9:00 p.m. on Monday, 3 November, including stop/go operations and potential delays of up to 10…

By Jonny Turner  It might have just been a maiden race, but Sarah O’Reilly got an extra buzz when winning with Molly Maeve Estelle at Oamaru on Sunday. O’Reilly was having her first drive at just her second meeting back in the sulky after sustaining a nasty arm injury in a trackwork incident in July last year. With 304 victories to her name, the winning feeling is nothing unusual for the talented reinswoman. But she admitted she got an extra kick out of getting back into the winner’s circle with…

By Michael Guerin The Ashburton Flying Stakes could decide the New Zealand Cup chances of Jeremiah and Better Knuckle Up. And it may now also play a pivotal role in the preparation of their stablemate Merlin after his moderate fifth at Addington on Friday night. Jeremiah and Better Knuckle Up head south next week to join the rest of the Barry Purdon/Scott Phelan raiders already in Canterbury and they looked in fine form for the trip when they quinellaed the Vale Chris Garrard Pace at Alexandra Park on Friday night.…

By Adam Hamilton  The odds are mounting against Swayzee’s quest for a record-equalling third successive IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup win at Addington Raceway on Tuesday, November 11.  The champion stayer missed defending his Victoria Cup title with a bowel infection and owner Mick Boots revealed it is still an issue. “He’s touch and go for NZ,” Boots said. “It’s that bowel infection and it’ll be hard to get the work into him for an NZ Cup.” The line in the sand looks to be next Saturday night’s Battle of…

By Jonny Turner  Tim Williams admits he doesn’t know what Miki Bennett will do when the tapes fly in the Placemakers Oamaru Cup (4.22pm) on Sunday. The pacer comes into the 2600m handicap after botching his last standing start before producing a huge recovery to win. That victory came down in the grades, and if Miki Bennett does it again he will face an almighty task to win. But Williams is hopeful his charge can do things right because of one crucial factor. “He is a quirky character and, to…